Happy Thanksgiving or "Thurday" as we like to call it in Denmark

Where to start? There’s so much to be thankful for! Living in a country with great options to take whatever education you want, a random act of kindness making me believe in the faith of the human race, my wonderful family, my best friends, sunshine. I could go on. But since Thanksgiving is an American holiday, my thoughts keep drifting over there.

If I go back one year to my first Thanksgiving, I can really tell how much I’ve changed. It’s hard for me to put in words how thankful I am for my exchange year and exactly what it has meant for me. It was a year full of challenges – and I probably shouldn’t say this, because I don’t want to scare anyone away, and I always try to encourage to go on exchange because I think in the end it’s definitely worth it – but if I had known exactly how hard it would turn out, I’m not sure I would have gone in the first place. I don’t regret going – not at all. We grow through hardship. Moving around, having no less than three host families made me doubt myself and question my actions and way of thoughts. It was probably the most natural thing to do, but none the less, it’s not a very pleasant feeling to have. I’m more independent now. I don’t care as uch for people’s opinion anymore. Don’t get me wrong, but it just doesn’t affect my choices much any longer. Being cool is just not that important. And if you don’t like my friends, singing or colorful leggings, you know what? That’ your problem - not mine. If you don’t accept me for who I am, I just don’t need your accept at all. I’ve also changed in many other ways as well, like I’m more outgoing – and as my mom would say, my music taste has gone quiet terrible, with all that nigga-gangsta-music.

Cheers to new friends

The most amazing thing about going on exchange though, is that it’s not an adventure that ends when you come home. I think of America daily and also it has brought me many amazing friendships. This weekend, I volunteered on a weekend camp for Danish students going on exchange next year. I had such a great time with the other volunteers. It’s always nice seeing the ones you already know, but what is really incredible, is how quick we all connect. You’re just instantly friends.

The weekend before, we actually did celebrate Thanksgiving. I really like being around students from around the world that is staying in Denmark. It’s funny how they can see from our society from another angle and I’m so impressed how much they work to understand the culture and learn the language – even though it sometimes come out a little funny. We’ll get back to that. So I had the Thanksgiving, now I just need a black Friday! It’s like when you’ve been thankful for all you have, you just feel the need to go buy some more stuff…

Wish y’all a happy Thanksgiving with your friends and family!

Quote of the day:

Me and one of the exchange students are playing draw something. I’ve drawn a stickperson and am halfway through a bottle, when he guesses the word.

“Drunk! It’s a happy person and it’s a Dane. He gotta be drunk.” Somebody picked up on that Danish culture quickly ;-)